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Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Question from Nikki - More Tudor places to visit in and near London

I am lucky enough to be going to London again this year!!!! I will be in London 4 days and then head to Dublin for 3 days. (suggestions for Dublin are also welcome!!) What are some of the "must see" Tudor sites? I've done Westminster Abbey (my favorite place!), Hampton Court and The Tower. Is there anything I could go back and do at those places that aren't in the typical tourist guided tours? I want to get more Tudor history out of those places.

A trip to London is not complete without the Abbey, in my opinion, so are there any graves I should take notice of? I know where Henry VII and Edward VI are, and of course Elizabeth and both Mary's (I and Queen of Scots).

Any other churches or buildings that I can get to without taking a whole day trip to get to and from?

I was lucky enough to do Windsor on my first London trip. It was a day trip. Totally worth it! Not just because of the Tudor history, but everything there is just over the top extravagant. You can only imagine!

You might want to stop by Anne of Cleves' tomb when you're at Westminster Abbey. She's not back in Henry VII's chapel with the rest of the Tudors, but is over near the altar at the Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor. And don't forget Margaret Beaufort back with her son and other descendants!

A pop in to the National Portrait Gallery is always worthwhile, even if you've been there before. I also like the Museum of London, the British Museum (although you can spend YEARS in there!) and the British Library.

Father afield, I would suggest Hatfield (easy to get to by train from London) Hever and Penshurst (which I think are a little harder to get to by train, but I'm not sure since I drove when I went to both of those places).

I'm jealous! It's been 5 years since my last trip over there and it will probably be another 5 before I'm back. But I *will* be back someday!

Ahhh...Hever!!! Have been there twice and each experience has been wonderful. That would definitely be a 'day trip', but what an opportunity to experience Wife Number Two, and enjoy the countryside at the same time.

Hatfield Old Hall is still up, altho the rest of Hatfield was changed during the reign of James VI/I. The Old Hall still resonates with Elizabeth...and 10 years ago there was an "Elizabethan Banquet" which could be enjoyed. Yessirree...Elizabeth herself held court during the festivities!

Closer to town I've thought of St James Park. It used to be the royal hunting preserve of Henry. Perhaps his shade can still be glimpsed on his horse? Then there is the gatehouse of the palace itself. Pure Tudor.

Generally you can't take photos inside most of these places. Usually there is a sign, and if I can't find a sign, I ask just in case. Westminster Abbey used to have a photography night a while back, but I believe it has been discontinued. I had planned to go to it on one of my trips, but they stopped it that year right before I left the US. Grumble, grumble.

No photos anywhere! You can take pictures inside The Tower in one of the exhibits and I did get a picture of Henry VIII's armor. I couldn't take pics inside of St. Paul's, Windsor, St. George's Chapel or The Abbey. I have a ton of London pictures but almost all of them are the outside of the buildings I was in.

Lara: I will find Anne of Cleves this time. Thanks! I do remember Margaret Beaufort. The Abbey is by far my favorite place and I find something new each time I am there. It will never get old to me!

Oh yes, there are lots of gift shops! There are postcards and guidebooks with lots of pretty photos. At Westminster in particular, there is a larger guide with diagrams of where all the tombs are which is really helpful for looking for obscure people. :)